The changing face of Ireland throughout the decades (PHOTOS)

In the past 60 years, Ireland has undergone some astonishing changes. While there is still a large agricultural industry in the country, Ireland has also developed into one of the world's most sophisticated technology hubs.

The country has weathered the troubles in the north, poverty, upheavals in politics, challenges to religious influence and cyclical emigration. Yet through periods of great prosperity and grinding economic depression, the essential character of the Irish people has remained unchanged.

Ireland in 1954Cork hurling manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy in his playing days.

Imagine a world with no television -- that's Ireland in 1954. Some people had TV sets on which they were able to pick up broadcast signals from the BBC, but there was no Irish programming available.

That would change in 1961. RTÉ was already 28 years old, but it had been strictly a radio service. The television portion would make its debut in time for the New Year's Eve countdown on December 31, 1961, when a station full of formally dressed revelers welcomed in 1962.

Events: The government announces plans to build Cork Airport in Ballygarvan. The first public celebration of Bloomsday takes place in Dublin, led by Patrick Kavanagh and Flann O'Brien. Christy Brown's autobiography, "My Left Foot" is published.

Deaths: Captain Henry Harrison, last surviving member of Parnell's Irish Parliamentary Party, dies aged 87. Convicted murderer Michael Manning is the last person executed in the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland in 1964RTE made its television debut on New Year's Eve in 1961.

It was a banner year for the Irish as they welcomed visits by Britain's Princess Margaret, Cuba's Minister for Industries Che Guevara and Jill, an Indian elephant headed for a new home at the Dublin Zoo.

Events: The U.S. Embassy is officially opened in Dublin. A Garda training center was opened in Tipperary. The country celebrated the 25th anniversary of commercial transatlantic flight.

Ireland in 1974Sean MacBride, the son of Maj. John MacBride and Maud Gonne, won the Nobel Prize for Peace.

There was a strong current of unease in the country, with the Northern Ireland Executive collapsing within five months of its inauguration. Bombings in Dublin and Monaghan kill 33 people and injure 300 more.

Events: Powerscourt House in Enniskerry is destroyed by fire. Séan MacBride wins the Nobel Prize for Peace. A collection of Old Master paintings are stolen by members of the Provisional IRA. The first Kilkenny Arts festival is held.

With the economy in crisis due to high unemployment, young people start to emigrate in large numbers. U.S. President Ronald Reagan arrives for a state visit, and drops by his ancestral village of Ballyporeen, Co. Tipperary.

Events: Workers at the Henry Street branch of Dunnes Stores go on strike to protest the importation of fruit from South Africa. Ford Motor Car and Dunlop Tire factories in Cork close their doors. Bob Dylan headlines at Slane Castle with guests Van Morrison, Bono, UB40, In Tua Nua and Santana.

Ireland in 1994Michael Flatley and Jean Butler starred in the original "Riverdance."

Ireland wins the Eurovision Song Contest for the third year in a row with the forgettable ditty "Rock 'n' Roll Kids." But the real news comes at the intermisison, when Jean Butler and Michael Flatley take the world by storm with the original "Riverdance."

Events: Jack Charlton's Boys in Green thrill fans with their unexpected win over Italy in the World Cup, but a loss to Holland ends their trophy dreams. The Provisional IRA announce a complete cessation of military activity. Taoiseach Albert Reynolds resigns his office and is succeeded by John Bruton.

The Celtic Tiger was roaring, and the booming economy attracted thousands of immigrants to the country for jobs in construction and service industries. Ireland takes over the presidency of the European Commission. The main topic of conversation is the introduction of the smoking ban that prohibits tobacco use in pubs, offices and restaurants.

Events: Dublin horseman Cian O'Connor wins an Olympic gold medal for individual jumping, but it is later revoked when his horse was disqualified. Irish-born aid worker Margaret Hassan is murdered by her captors in Iraq. The Northern Bank in Belfast is robbed of £22 million. Irish golfers Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley are part of the winning European team in the Ryder Cup.